ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID Relief Aid
More than 12,800 Oxygen Concentrators; more than 15,800 Oxygen Cylinders; 19 Oxygen Generation Plants; more than 9,900 ventilators/Bi PAP; ~6.1 L Remdesivir vials delivered/ dispatched expeditiously to States and UTs, so far
Government of India has been receiving international cooperation of COVID-19 relief medical supplies and equipment since 27th April 2021 from different countries/organisations. These have been promptly dispatched/delivered to the States and UTs.
Cumulatively, 12874 Oxygen Concentrators; 15,801 Oxygen Cylinders; 19 Oxygen Generation Plants; 9,925 ventilators/ BiPAP; ~6.1 L Remdesivir vials delivered/ dispatched through road and air, from 27th April 2021 to 18th May 2021.
Major consignments received on 17/18th May 2021 from Spain, Ontario, New Zealand, South Korea and Germany includes:
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Consignments
|
|
Quantity
|
|
Oxygen Concentrators
|
|
191
|
|
Ventilators/Bi-PAP/CPAP
|
|
1,399
|
|
Infrared Thermometer
|
|
500
Effective immediate allocation, and streamlined delivery to the recipient states/UTs and institutions is an ongoing exercise.
The Union Health Ministry is comprehensively monitoring this on a regular basis. A dedicated Coordination Cell has been created in the Union Health Ministry to coordinate the receipt and allocation of foreign COVID relief material as international cooperation in the form of grants, aid and donations. This Cell started functioning from 26th April 2021. A Standard Operating Procedure has been framed and implemented by the Health Ministry since 2nd May, 2021.
Prime Minister's Office
PM to celebrate Diwali with our brave soldiers in Kargil
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has landed in Kargil, where he will celebrate Diwali with our brave soldiers.
The Prime Minister Office tweeted;
"Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi has landed in Kargil, where he will celebrate Diwali with our brave soldiers."
Special Service and Features
Regional Level Pension Adalat postponed
The Regional Level Pension Adalat scheduled to be conducted on 07.04.2021 is postponed until further notification.
The date of conducting of Regional Level Pension Adalat will be intimated later.
This is stated in a press release issued by the Sr.Accounts Officer , O/o the Postmaster-General, Southern Region, T.N., Madurai 625 002.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Minister of Jal Shakti chairs meeting of State Ministers for Jal Jeevan Mission
Union Minister for Jal Shakti,ShriGajendra Singh Shekhawat,chaired aConference of State Ministers on Jal Jeevan Mission in New Delhi today. State Ministers in-charge of Drinking Water from 17 States; and Principal Secretaries/Secretaries attended theconference. The objective of the Conference was to discuss the implementation of the newly announced Jal Jeevan Mission,to provide individual household water tap connection to everyrural household in the country by 2024.
The Jal Shakti Minister referred to the announcement made by the Prime Minister during his Independence Day speech on 15th August 2019, wherein he announced the Government’s renewed efforts to provide water supply to every household by 2024.He shared that the Mission would fulfill the aspiration of the people in extending services as it had with housing, toilets, electricity, cooking gas, financial inclusion, social security/ pension, health care and roads etc.
He further highlighted that India has 16% of world population, but only 4% of its fresh water resources. Depleting ground water level, over exploitation and deteriorating water quality, climate change, etc. are major challengesto provide potable drinking water. The Jal Jeevan Mission is set to be based on various water conservation efforts like point recharge, de-silting of minor irrigation tanks, use of grey water for agriculture and source sustainability. Citing successful models from across the country, he encouraged all states to plan for recharge and reuse of grey water generated from households for agriculture and irrigation purpose.He emphasized the need for convergence of various funds available under MGNREGS, MPLAD, MLALAD, Finance Commission Grants, etc. to implement the source sustainability measures. He appealed to all states to generate maximum community participation in the form of ‘jan andolan’ to achieve the target of functional household tap connection by 2024.
The Minister of State, Ministry of Jal Shakti,Shri Rattan Lal Katariahighlighted that drinking water is a basic requirement and water supply has been placed at the center of the development agenda for the Government. He requested all states to empower the grassroots governance institutions to take charge of the Mission activities in their villages.
Various State Ministers discussed State specific issues and were assured of Central Government assistance for smooth implementation of the Mission.
Ministry of Steel
India becomes second largest steel producer of Crude Steel
As per World Steel Association data, India became the second largest steel producer of crude steel after China in 2018 and 2019, by replacing Japan. The details of five leading crude steel producers in the world during 2018 and 2019 are listed below:-
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Top 5 Crude steel producers in the world: 2018, 2019|
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2018
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2019|
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Rank
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|
Country
|
|
Qty 
|
|
Rank
|
|
Country
|
|
Qty 
|
|
1
|
|
China
|
|
920.0
|
|
1
|
|
China
|
|
996.3
|
|
2
|
|
India
|
|
109.3
|
|
2
|
|
India
|
|
111.2
|
|
3
|
|
Japan
|
|
104.3
|
|
3
|
|
Japan
|
|
99.3
|
|
4
|
|
USA
|
|
86.6
|
|
4
|
|
USA
|
|
87.9
|
|
5
|
|
South Korea
|
|
72.5
|
|
5
|
|
Russia
|
|
71.6
|
|
Source: worldsteel, 
India’s crude steel production in 2018 was at 109.3 MT, an increase of 7.7 per cent from 101.5 MT in 2017.
Steel being a deregulated sector, the Government does not set any annual targets for steel production. Decision on quantity of steel production is taken by individual companies based on commercial considerations and market requirements.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Steel Shri Dharmendra Pradhan in the Rajya Sabha today in a written reply today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Busting Myths of COVID-19
Union Health Ministry has regularly emphasized need for a robust reporting mechanism for monitoring district wise cases and deaths on a daily basis
States have been advised to report Covid deaths in accordance with prescribed guidelines
There were some media reports recently alleging misreporting of deaths due to Covid in India, and a sudden hike in the number of daily deaths.
It is clarified that the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare reported a total of 6148 deaths on 10th June 2021. This spike in deaths was on account of 3971 deaths reported by Bihar on that date is on account of reconciliation done by the State.
As early as May 2020, to avoid inconsistency or confusion in the number of deaths being reported, Indian Council of Medical Research  issued ‘Guidance for appropriate recording of COVID-19 related deaths in India’ for correct recording of all deaths by States/UTs as per ICD-10 codes recommended by WHO for mortality coding.
States and UTs have been advised repeatedly through formal communications, multiple video conferences and through deployment of Central teams for recording of deaths in accordance with laid down guidelines.
The Union Health Ministry has regularly emphasized the need for a robust reporting mechanism for monitoring district wise cases and deaths on a daily basis. In the instant case, the Union Government has written to the State of Bihar to provide a detailed date and district wise break-up of the reconciled number of deaths to the Union Health Ministry.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
BIS officials raid Metro Cash & Carry India  Ltd for Misuse of ISI mark
Huge quantity of uncertified toys confiscated
A team of officials from Bureau of Indian Standards , Mumbai Branch Office conducted a raid at M/s. Metro Cash & Carry India  Ltd, Borivali East, Mumbai on 13.01.2022 for Misuse of ISI mark by violating Quality Control Orders. Huge quantity of uncertified toys was confiscated during the raid.
The store was found indulging in sale of Electric and Non-Electric Toys, without Mark , in violation of Quality Control Orders on Toys issued by Government of India.
Keeping in view the health and safety of children, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India has notified that all the toys sold in the country from 01-01-2021 shall mandatorily be certified by BIS for their safety and shall bear mark on them.
Violation of Quality Control Orders issued by Government of India is a punishable offence with imprisonment up to two years or a fine of a minimum Rs. 2,00,000 or both as per BIS Act 2016.
The manufacturers, dealers and traders are advised to desist from manufacturing and selling Toys without certification from BIS
The consumers are encouraged to use BIS Care App for details on certified manufacturers and products.
Ministry of Defence
Combined Commanders’ Conference Commences at Kevadia, Gujarat
Combined Commanders’ Conference ; a premier brain-storming event of the Military Commanders from the three Services has commenced at Kevadia in Gujarat on 04 March 2021. The combined apex level military leadership of the country is reviewing the security situation and defence preparedness of the Armed Forces, and deliberating pertinent organisational issues for evolving a joint military vision for the future during the three day conference from 04 to 06 March. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh will join the military commanders along with the team of Secretary level officers from the Ministry of Defence for deliberations from Day two of the conference. The Valedictory Session on the third and final day will be chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi with the National Security Advisor Sh Ajit Doval also in attendance.
In a major change from the past, the scope of the conference this year has been expanded to make it a multi-layered, interactive, informal and informed event with the added participation of about 30 Officers and soldiers of various ranks from the three Services. Key events encapsulate series of discussions & deliberations on a range of issues pertinent to the Armed Forces and its role in nation building, with the participation of senior most political and bureaucratic hierarchy in addition to the multi-layered participation of military personnel.
It is interesting to note that the CCC in 2014 was held at Delhi. Since then it has been moved out to different venues across the country. The conference was held on board INS Vikramaditya in 2015 and in 2017 at the Indian Military Academy at Dehradun. The last edition of CCC was held in 2018 over a period of two days at Air Force Station, Jodhpur. There have been several major developments in the Higher Defence Organisation since including appointment of first ever Chief of Defence Staff and setting up of the Department of Military Affairs , and several important & multifarious issues affecting modernisation & transformation of the Armed Forces are currently under active consideration/ implementation.
Ministry of Women and Child Development
WCD Ministry invites applications for National Children Awards 2018
Logo design contest for the Awards launched
The Ministry of Women and Child Development has invited nominations for the National Children Awards 2018. This national recognition, which is conferred by the President of India, is given to children with outstanding achievements in the fields of innovation, scholastic achievements, sports, arts and culture, social service and bravery. The last date to submit nominations is now September 30, 2018.
Elaborating on the awards, Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, Union Minister for Women and Child Development, said, "The National Children Awards is an amazing platform to honour the exceptional achievements of our children and those who strive towards their welfare, development and protection in a way to inspire others. Through the awards, the government re-affirms its commitment towards ensuring the development of our children and honouring their talent and commitment to society.”
Applications are sought in the categories of 'National Child Awards' and 'National Child Welfare Awards'.
Recipients of the 'National Child Awards' receive a medal, a cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000/-, book vouchers worth Rs. 10,000/-, a certificate and citation.
The 'National Child Welfare Awards' recognise the work of individuals and institutions who have made a remarkable contribution towards the service of children in the fields of child development, protection and welfare. The recipients receive a cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000/-, a citation and a certificate.
The Ministry has also launched a logo design contest for the awards. Details of the contest are available on the Facebook & Twitter accounts of the Ministry . Last date to submit entries for the contest is September 23, 2018.
Details of the awards are available at www.nca-wcd.nic.in
Prime Minister's Office
PM congratulates Kartika Kumar on winning Silver Medal in the 10,000m race event
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi congratulated Kartika Kumar on winning Silver Medal in the 10,000m race event at the Asian Games in Hangzhou.
The Prime Minister said in a X post;
“Another moment of glory for India as Kartik Kumar, with his exceptional display of dedication and perseverance brings home the Silver Medal in the 10,000m event. Congratulations to him and my best wishes for his efforts ahead.”
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
NADA secures sanction against coach who injected his athlete with a banned steroid
The National Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel  recently imposed a four-year ban and a fine of Rs. 50,000 on Mumbai-based athletics coach Mickey Menzes for an Anti-Doping Rule Violation. He had injected a prohibited substance, Drostanolone, into his trainee, Kirti Bhoite, who is now serving a two-year ban.
In 2020, Kirti Bhoite tested positive for an anabolic-androgenic steroid, Drostanolone, which on the World Anti-Doping Agency list of prohibited substances. She was awarded a four-year ineligibility period by an ADDP on June 29, 2021. The athlete filed an appeal and, on April 18 this year, an Anti-Doping Appeal Panel  reduced her ban to two years.
During the hearing by the ADAP, Kirti Bhoite pointed out that her coach had given her and another athlete the said injection besides supplements. She also revealed that on her complaint, the Maharashtra Athletics Association had investigated the coach and decided to ban him for four years.
Acting on this information, NADA laid an Anti-Doping Rule Violation charge against the coach, Mickey Menezes on May 12 this year. He sought to defend himself by stating that the supplier had misled him to believe that the injection he gave the athlete was free of a prohibited substance.
On September 30, an ADAP held the coach guilty of administering a steroid to Kirti Bhoite through an injection and of his complicity in the doping of the young athlete to gain undue advantage from her performances.
Since May 2009, ADDPs have adjudicated more than 1270 cases. Mickey Menezes is the first athlete support personnel to have charges laid against him and to be sanctioned. It is an indication that NADA will no longer consider cases only against athletes whose samples test positive for banned substances.
NADA encourages everyone to report potential anti-doping rule violations. It has a secure link on the website to report activity that may go against anti-doping rules. Everything shared with NADA remains strictly confidential. Here is the link to report likely violations: https://www.nadaindia.org/speakup-form
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Schemes for Development of MSMEs
The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises  implements various schemes and programmes for promotion and development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises  across the country. These include the schemes/programmes such as Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme , Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries , A Scheme for Promoting Innovation, Rural Industry and Entrepreneurship , Credit Guarantee Scheme, Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme , Micro and Small Enterprises - Cluster Development Programme , etc.
The Government has taken several measures to promote access to finance. These include:-
- Launch of 59 minute loan portal to enable easy and prompt access to credit for MSMEs.
- 2% interest subvention for GST registered MSMEs.
- Increase in interest rebate from 3% to 5% for exporters who receive loans in the pre-shipment and post-shipment period.
- Companies with turnover of more than Rs.500 crore to be compulsorily brought on the Trade Receivables e-Discounting System  to enable entrepreneurs to access credit based on receivables.
- The Corpus of Credit Guarantee Trust Fund for Micro and Small Enterprises  Scheme has been enhanced from Rs.2500 crore to Rs.7500 crore. The eligible loan limit under the CGTMSE has also been enhanced from Rs. 1 crore to Rs. 2 crore.
- A provision of second loan of upto Rs. 1 crore has been introduced under Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme  for well performing units.
The Ministry of MSME implements Micro and Small Enterprises- Cluster Development Programme  for creation and upgradation of infrastructural facilities in the new/existing industrial areas/clusters of MSEs.
The schemes implemented by Ministry of MSME are Central Sector Schemes. Therefore, funds are not allocated State-wise. The budget allocation  of the Ministry of MSME during the financial year 2019-20 for implementing all the schemes throughout the country including the State of Andhra Pradesh is Rs 7011.29 crore.
This information was given by Shri Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Special Service and Features
KVK demonstrates technology for cleaning harvested banana plantations to boost soil fertility
The Ernakulam Krishi Vigyan Kendra of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute  has demonstrated a technology of cleaning of harvested banana plantations in a way that nourishes the bio-fertility of the soil.
The technology which KVK demonstrated to the farmers in the district involves shredding of the left over stems into tiny pieces making them easily dissolved in the soil and ready to get composted. According to the KVK, the process makes farm clean and ready for next crop besides enhancing the organic content of the soil.
“Normally, the stems in the banana plantations after the harvest are left discarded turning which a breeding ground for many parasites, and hindering the next crop. By shredding it into tiny pieces soon after the harvest not only make them easily dissolved in soil but clean the farm”, said Dr Shinoj Subramanian, Head of KVK and added that the shredded pieces are in a form to get composted for organic manure in future.
One-acre banana plantation generates 30 metric tonnes of banana stems. As per the KVK technology, up to 4 tonnes of biomass could be converted into tiny pieces within one hour using the tractor operated waste shredder. “Properly composted banana biomass from one-acre areas if used in situ can enhance organic matter by 0.1 to 0.2 per cent and that could reduce chemical fertilizer requirement by 16 per cent”, Dr Subramanian said.
Krishi Vigyan Kendra demonstrated this technology in line with the ‘generating wealth from waste’, a flagship programme envisaged in the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan of Government of India.Tractor and shredder are available on rental at KVK. For bookings 9562120666.
KVK is also exploring the possibility of making silage for dairy animals from the left-over banana stems.
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President's Secretariat
PRESIDENT OF INDIA’S GREETINGS ON THE EVE OF CHRISTMAS
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind has sent his greetings to all fellow citizens on the eve of Christmas.
In a message, the President has said, “On the auspicious occasion of Christmas, I extend my heartiest greetings and best wishes to all fellow citizens, especially our Christian brothers and sisters.
Christmas is an occasion to celebrate with joy and fervour the birth of Lord Jesus Christ. The festival fills people’s lives with peace, goodwill and compassion. On this festival, we lighten up our hearts with love and kindness towards others.
I hope that this festival would nurture peace throughout the world and help maintain harmony in mankind. Let us re-imbibe Jesus Christ’s teachings of love, compassion and humanity on this holy festival and commit ourselves to the welfare of our nation and society”.
Please click here to see the President message -
Prime Minister's Office
PM expresses delight on the successful maiden test firing of Brahmos ALCM from Su-30MKI
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has expressed his delight on the successful maiden test firing of Brahmos ALCM  from Su-30MKI fighter aircraft. The Prime Minister also congratulated all those who were associated with this remarkable feat.
“Delighted on the successful maiden test firing of Brahmos ALCM from Su-30MKI. Congratulations to all those associated with this remarkable feat”, the Prime Minister said.
Prime Minister's Office
PM extends best wishes to Indian contingent on beginning of Paralympics Games
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has extended his best wishes to the Indian contingent at the beginning of Paralympics Games in Tokyo.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"As the @Paralympics begin, my best wishes to the Indian contingent. We are proud of all the athletes representing our nation at the #Paralympics."
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
India International Trade Fair 2018 Opens
Dr. Mahesh Sharma and C. R. Chaudhary unveiling the catalogue of the IITF-2018
The 38th edition of India International Trade Fair  2018 was inaugurated by the Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, C.R. Chaudhary at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi today. The flagship event of India Trade Promotion Organisation will continue from 14th to 27th November 2018.
Speaking on this occasion C. R. Chaudhary said that the services sector has assumed significance as India is now moving from a primary product exporting country to the secondary and services sector. He stressed that along with increase in production there is also the need to maintain quality of products. Commenting on the theme of the trade fair which is rural enterprises, Chaudhary said that 40 % of manufactures are from the MSME sector in rural areas of the country and need to be taken care of.
Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Culture , Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change,who was also present on the occasion, said that India is now the sixth largest economy in the world. He congratulated ITPO for organizing this year’s fair in a limited space because of the ongoing construction work in the premises. He further said that the IITF offers an opportunity to showcase Indian tradition, culture and enterprising activities under a single umbrella.
This edition of IITF assumes special significance as it marks the beginning of the150th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi. All States, government organizations and other stake holders are making all efforts to realize the vision of the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, of ‘Sab ka Saath, Sab kaVikas’. The theme pavilion of the Fair has been setup by the Ministry of Rural Development.The fair also showcases various initiatives of the Government of India like Make in India, Startup India, Digital India, Skill India and Swachh Bharat.
The partner countryis the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the focus country is the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. The focus state is Jharkhand.
Around 800 participants from States, government departments, domestic and international companies are taking part with considerable participation of rural artisans, craftsmen and SME entrepreneurs.The Fair has registered foreign participation from Afghanistan, China, Hong Kong, Kyrgyzstan, Iran, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, Tunisia, Vietnam and UAE.